All Chapters of THE REJECTED WHITE LUNA: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

It was the end of the second month since the rogues had first been spotted on the northern border. The camps were still there, pulled back from the immediate perimeter, but present. The patrols had intercepted two more scouts in the past week alone. The rogue had given them fragments before he died. Now Rowan stood at the head of the long table, his arms crossed, his face hard as rock. Lois was beside him, a map of the territory spread across the table. Nyssa stood near the window. Nathan and Freya were at the far end, close together. They were all in the hall. "The rogue talked before he died," Rowan said. "What did he say?" Nathan asked. "That an attack is coming. He didn't know when, only that the camps are waiting for a signal. He wasn't high enough to know the details." "Did he say who's behind it?" Nyssa asked. "No. He said the bosses don't share that information with foot soldiers. But he confirmed that the camps are coordinated. Someone with resources is backing them."

The eastern wall was drowning in rogues. Lois fought like a demon, Rufus tearing through enemy after enemy, but for every rogue that fell, two more seemed to take its place. Dax was down, bleeding from a gash across his ribs, his brown wolf struggling to rise. Sera guarded him with bared teeth, her silver-white fur streaked with blood. Freya had taken up a fallen warrior's spear and was holding her ground near the parapet, her grey eyes wild with desperate courage. Nyssa had appeared from nowhere, her tawny wolf cutting through the chaos with quick, precise strikes. She fought her way toward Aria, dodging blades and claws, she wanted to reach her before the rogues do. But there were too many. Aria pressed her back against the cold stone of the eastern wall, one hand splayed protectively over the heavy swell of her stomach. Her body was failing. The long months of pregnancy had sapped her stamina. Her muscles trembled and her vision blurred at the edges. She had fought as lon

The healer's wing was quiet, except for the crackle of the hearth and the steady rhythm of Aria's breathing. Rowan sat beside her cot, his elbows braced on his knees, his hands wrapped around hers. He had not left this spot in two days. He slept close to her and refused to eat. Elara had stopped trying to convince him. Aria had not woken since the battle. She lay beneath a thick wool blanket, her silver hair spread across the pillow, her face pale but peaceful. The heavy swell of her stomach rose and fell with each breath. Elara had checked her every few hours, the baby was fine, strong, and kicking. But Aria's body had burned through reserves it didn't have. The shift and the force of Nova's awakening, it had taken everything. "She'll wake," Elara had said that morning, not for the first time. "Her body is healing. It just needs time." Rowan had nodded. He had not moved. Freya came at midday. She slipped through the door quietly, a bundle of fresh linens in her arms.

Aria thanked Bael at the foot of the stairs, balancing the armful of drawings and gifts the pups had pressed into her hands. The quiet warrior nodded once, his eyes steady. He took up his post near the main door without a word. She climbed the stairs slowly. Her legs were stronger now, but the pregnancy made every movement deliberate. Rowan was already in their chambers, standing at the window with his back to her. His shoulders were rigid. His hands were clasped behind him, knuckles white. "I'm back," she said, setting the drawings on the small table near the door. "The pups sent gifts." He turned. His golden eyes softened when he saw her, their was grass stains on her dress, the wilted flower tucked behind her ear. "You look like you rolled down a hill of grasses." "I was ambushed, by some twelve pup. It was a coordinated attack." She crossed to him, holding up a piece of parchment covered in colorful scribbles. "This is supposed to be Nova. I think. It has four legs and somet

It’s been two days since Aria woke up. Her strength was returning slowly, her body no longer screamed when she moved, her legs no longer trembled when she walked short distances across the room. Elara had cleared her for light activity, though the healer's sharp eyes watched her every movement. The baby kicked with reassuring regularity. But Aria's mind was not at peace. She had caught the glances between Rowan and Lois. She had noticed the way conversations stopped when she entered a room. Something had happened during the war and they’re not telling her. She found Rowan in his study, bent over a map of the territory with Lois beside him. They both looked up when she entered, and she saw the flicker in Rowan's eyes before he masked it. "Aria. You should be resting." "I've been resting for days, Rowan." She crossed to the desk and placed both hands on its surface. "Tell me." Rowan didn't pretend not to understand. He exchanged a glance with Lois, he nodded. "Give us